Wolves moved out of the underside three as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Matheus Cunha’s targets noticed off Aston Villa for his or her first Premier League victory of 2025.
Bellegarde completed off an excellent transfer for Vitor Pereira’s aspect as he ran off the shoulder of Boubacar Kamara and drilled the ball low and onerous into the underside nook from a decent angle.
Then deep into stoppage time Cunha glided into the field and arrowed a exact end previous Emiliano Martinez to wrap up a well-deserved victory.
Goncalo Guedes missed a hat-trick of possibilities to make Wolves’ lead rather more snug earlier than half-time.
Arsenal goal Ollie Watkins went off injured on the break in a blow to Unai Emery’s aspect after fellow striker Jhon Duran departed for Al-Nassr this week.
Substitute Donyell Malen nearly made a swift impression after he was launched, however his first Villa objective was dominated out for offside after a video assistant referee (VAR) examine dominated that Morgan Rogers’ motion impeded the run of Nelson Semedo.
The victory strikes Wolves as much as seventeenth, two factors above Leicester City, whereas Villa stay eighth.
Cunha hints he’s staying at Wolves
It is the primary time since 26 December towards Manchester United that Wolves have gained within the league – they usually did it the onerous approach.
Cunha was denied by keeper Martinez after being despatched by on objective and bustling previous Kamara with Guedes firing the rebound narrowly vast.
Just earlier than the break, Guedes had one other alternative however lacked composure on the essential second, taking pictures vast of the goal as soon as once more.
Guedes latched on to a by ball however a sprawling save from Martinez denied him for the third time, earlier than Cunha lastly sealed Wolves’ win with an excellent end.
The Brazil ahead has been linked with a transfer away from Molineux, however on the last whistle he gestured to the house followers that he was staying, earlier than repeatedly tapping his coronary heart and kissing the Wolves badge.
In a last gesture, Cunha blew kisses in each path earlier than heading down the tunnel after sealing a significant three factors for his aspect.
Villa’s European hangover continues
Emery’s quadruple half-time substitution summed up the primary 45 minutes for Villa, who didn’t register a shot on the right track earlier than the break.
Debutant Andres Garcia was amongst these changed, whereas Watkins was withdrawn due to damage.
Malen tapped in from shut vary after John McGinn performed the ball throughout the field however it was dominated out for Rogers’ offside.
The Netherlands ahead was despatched by in added time however Jose Sa closed the hole and made an enormous save earlier than Wolves added a second objective.
The away aspect had 68% possession however got here out second finest towards a decided Wolves – the primary time they’ve misplaced a league match when having greater than half of the ball this season.
It isn’t totally stunning Villa got here away empty-handed, this being the seventh time they had been winless in a league recreation straight after enjoying within the Champions League – three house attracts and 4 away defeats.
Villa completed eighth within the league part of the Champions League after beating Celtic 4-2, and can be relieved to keep away from two additional play-off video games consequently.